Opposition Delegation visits Il-Ħaġar Museum

An official delegation of the Opposition visited Il-Ħaġar Museum on Saturday, March 24. The Delegation, led by the Hon. Mr David Agius, Deputy Leader, was warmly welcomed at the entrance of the museum by Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria directors Rev. Can. George J. Frendo, Mr Joseph Borg and Mr Anthony Zammit, together with a number of young volunteers and supporters who at the time were working in the museum office.

Amongst others, the Delegation included the Hon. Dr Chris Said, Opposition Spokesperson for Gozo, and MPs David Stellini, Marthese Portelli and Frederick Azzopardi.

The visit lasted for about one hour and included a guided tour of the museum.

VELLA EXHIBITION STILL ON

VELLA EXHIBITION STILL ON

These are the last days of the Exhibition of photos and posters giving an overview of Professor Joseph Vella’s “Life for Music” set up on the occasion of the inauguration of his Music Archive at Il-Ħaġar – Heart of Gozo museum in Pjazza San Ġorġ, Victoria. It will be replaced on 13th March but the Archive is open permanently. Visitors can also acquire one of the last copies of the full-colour book with the same title.

Il-Ħaġar opening hours are Sunday to Saturday 9am – 5pm; entrance remains free.

IL-WIRJA TAS-‘SURMAST’ WASLET FL-AĦĦAR

Dalwaqt tiżżarma l-Wirja ta’ ritratti u posters li jagħtu ħarsa lejn il-“ħajja għall-mużika” tas-Surmast Joseph Vella, armata fl-okkażjoni tal-inawgurazzjoni tal-arkivju tax-xogħolijiet tiegħu fil-Mużew Il-Ħaġar fi Pjazza San Ġorġ, Victoria. Infatti se tinbidel fit-13 ta’ Marzu iżda il-Joseph Vella Music Archive jibqa’ miftuħ permanentement. Tista’ anki tiġi akkwistata kopja minn tal-aħħar tal-ktieb dwaru “A Life for Music”.

Il-ħinijet tal-ftuħ huma 9am sal-5pm sebat ijiem fil-ġimgħa. M’hemmx ħlas tad-dħul.

Last few copies of the book about Mro Joseph Vella can be acquired from the museum for a donation of €10.

Il-Ħaġar Museum hails Mro Joseph Vella: “A Life for Music”

The sudden loss of music genius Professor Joseph Vella has been commented upon and commemorated widely locally and overseas, highlighting one aspect or other. Il-Ħaġar Museum curator Mgr Dr Joseph Farrugia had rightly hailed him “a giant of contemporary Maltese culture” while introducing three days of celebrations in his honour – just hours before Mro Vella left us.

Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria cannot ignore the close relationship with is-Surmast of so many directors and members. All this climaxed on Saturday 24 February with the inauguration of the Joseph Vella Music Archive now hosted permanently in our Museum “Il-Ħaġar” – the result of a long labour of love.

During the celebratory lunch on Sunday, the maestro repeated that he still had so many plans. But the Lord responded that he had done enough!

We are happy that in the Joseph Vella Music Archive at Il-Ħaġar Museum the people of Malta and Gozo have a memorial for all to visit and research.  A temporary photo-and-poster exhibition will remain for a few more days. Those attending the funeral (this Saturday from 2 pm) will be able to visit it and leave their thoughts in a “memorial book” inside the museum. Some copies are still available of a full-colour book we published giving an overview of Joseph Vella’s “Life for Music”.

(Photos credits: Sam Cefai)